By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team continued their hot start on Tuesday night, defeating No. 6-ranked (USCHO) University of St. Thomas 4-1 to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Head Coach Erik Strand noted timely scoring and solid goaltending as keys to the road win.
Holly Turnbull (So.-Hayward, WI) scored the first goal of the night at 7:24 in the first period off assists by Jaedyn Walz (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) and Sydney Schneider (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi). Lexi Wilson (So.-Eagan, MN) earned her second point of the season at 13:09 as she found the back off the net with assists from Erin Goodell (So.-Maplewood, MN) and Kelly Knetter (So.-Wausau, WI).
After a scoreless second period, transfer Courtney Wittig (So.-Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) got the Blugold offense going again in the third, notching her fifth goal of the season just 47 seconds into the final frame thanks to assists from Turnbull and Sami Meister (Fr.-Plymouth, MN).
Claudia Gagnon (Sr.-Duluth, MN) found the back of the net for the first time this year just five minutes later with an assist by Mariah Czech (Sr.-Andover, MN).
The Tommies were able to score their lone goal late in the third, but it was too little, too late as the Blugolds would cruise to the 4-1 win.
Even though six different Eau Claire skaters recorded a point in the game, it was backed up once again by solid goaltending from Erin Connolly (Fr.-Mequon, WI) who stopped 28 of 29 shots and improves to 2-0 on the season.
The Blugolds will be back in action Friday, Nov. 4 at 7pm at Hobbs Ice Arena.
Follow the action all season on Blugold Game Day.
